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JAPAN INCREASES SUPPORT FOR APIA PORT DEVELOPMENT

APIA, Samoa (June 1, 2001 - Samoa Observer/PINA Nius Online)---The Japanese government has provided a second grant -- totaling about US$ 18,836,000 -- for the upgrading of Apia Port

An initial improvement grant was made earlier.

In a formal ceremony in the Prime Minister’s office, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and the Japanese Ambassador to Samoa, Mr. Koichi Matsumoto, exchanged agreement notes.

Mr. Matsumoto said as Samoa is dependent on Apia Port as the gateway for its exports and imports, it is important that the port’s infrastructure meets required standards.

"The government of Samoa has taken up the development of port facilities as one of the most important matters in its national development," Mr. Koichi said, noting that the people of Japan are pleased to be able to assist where needed.

Pacific Islands Report is a nonprofit news publication of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Offered as a free service to readers, PIR provides an edited digest of news, commentary and analysis from across the Pacific Islands region, Monday - Friday.